FOXBORO — For Austin Collie, Saturday’s AFC divisional-round playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts isn’t about getting back at his former team. It’s not about proving to the league, the Patriots or potential future employers that he’s still got it, either.

This isn’t about retribution or resurgence. For Collie, this weekend is about football. It’s about sticking around to play the game he loves. It’s about not giving up, no matter how many times he was released this season or how many injuries he’s endured.

“You sometimes take (the game) for granted,” Collie said. “When you don’t have that opportunity and you kind of step away, you definitely realize just how fun it is and how much you love it from home.”

The wide receiver had plenty of time to enjoy football from home during the regular season. The 28-year-old was released by the San Francisco 49ers at the end of training camp. The Pats picked him up Oct. 3, then released him Nov. 5 after he suffered a knee injury. He re-signed with the team Dec. 5, only to get released again Dec. 27.

With rookie receiver Aaron Dobson (foot) on the mend, Collie re-signed again last week.

Collie’s career has been marred by a series of injuries. Concussions derailed his time with the Colts, and a season-ending knee injury suffered last year ended his tenure in Indianapolis.

After spending the offseason rehabbing, Collie knew this season would be difficult. He played in seven games for the Patriots, catching six passes for 63 yards, and has served as the “in-case-of-emergency-break-here” guy.

“I knew this year was going to be tough,” he said. “My main thing is every time I show up here I just want to get better. And that’s it, just work hard, continue to get better. I expected there to be bumps in the road.”

There’s a notion that Collie could provide some insight on his former team, just like ex-Pats receiver Deion Branch could do for Indianapolis after he signed this week.

Collie said his teammates haven’t been asking him about the Colts, and he isn’t sure he could provide much help even if information was requested.

“I can give my two cents about different tendencies for different players, but as far as scheme-wise, when they came with the new defense I wasn’t there that long because I got put on the (injured reserve) for the third week,” Collie said. “I didn’t get to see a lot of what they did. From that standpoint, from scheme, probably not.”

Considering the challenges of the past year, Collie couldn’t be happier than to be preparing for Saturday’s game with the Patriots. After playing only one game last season and spending half of the 2013 regular season at home, Collie’s heading to the postseason for the first time since 2009 with the Colts.

“It is awesome,” Collie said. “Anyway I can help this team win, that’s what I’m here for.”